Ball and race toy



Jan. 21, 1958 1. MARINSKY BALL AND RACE TOY Filed June 10, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

[e900 mews/ y 1a 1W Jan. 21, 1958 I. MARINSKY BALL AND RACE TOY Filed June 10, 1955 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 FIG. 5.

I IN V EN T OR.

A9990 MfiP/lVS/(Y BY re a hw BALLAND RACE TOY Isaac Marinsky, Providence, R.I.,'assignor of one-half to Jacob Marinsky, Culver City; Calif.

Application June 10,1955,Serial No. 514,530

6'Claims. :(CI. 46-42) 'Generallyspeaking, the present .inventionrelates to the moving-balltoy art and, more particularly,.pertains to a ball-race toy, cooperable with a ballto allow aiuser-to impart entertaining and cyclic motion thereto over a cyclic ball path when motion is'sufficientlyskillfully manually applied to the toy.

Applicant isaware that various toys allowing thernotionof aball' in a race or:runway have been invented "and devel'oped'heretofore; but all such toys, known to applicant, have suffered from numerous'disadvantages. While itshould1be possible for a: normal person to learn how-to operate such. a toy, tomake the toy'interesting and educationahvsome skill and coordination. shoud .be necessary tozoperate it successfuliyand such prior toys have been too'easy tozoperate because of:such;factors'as amearlyor completelywenclosed runway, which alsohides the ball from View. Such toys have also lacked the .fascination of having the rball t perform 1 some interesting :action "while in 'a special .part of its path.

' Generi'cally speaking, the present invention comprises ball race means partially iconstrainingth'e motion of said ball .over portions of a cyclic ball path (said portions usuallylying virtually in a single plane) and a handle member, manually graspable and: in force-imparting, ballactuating relationship to said race means. By a cyclic ball pathisrmeant, herein, aipath Which'when completely traversed once by'aball returnsltheiball to its starting pointz-that is,- such a path. is=a closed'circuitous path (when the toy is successfully'operated). Said ball race-means, generically speaking, includes longitudinally arcuateballguiding-channel means, hasa -bal1=exit-region, andhas a ballreception region; said cyclic' ball path-is completed through an action region,through'which said ball' is movable in an active, entertaining manner,between said ball exit and ball reception regions. In one generic form of the presentinvention, said ball-guiding channel means is of generally U-shaped lateral cross-section, but'the U is shallow. Intentional manual, centrifugal, and gravitational forces on the ball arein said single -plane of the ball path, directed against said channel means, butaccidental forces maybe normal to said plane. The construction of 'thechannel, relativeto theside ofball'or- 'dinarily used-With the-toy (usually a soecalled marble) is such that it will holdthe ball when the acceleration .thereof isdirectedout of said plane'bya smallangle; the

ball is thus "restrained from 7 leaving 'the 4 channel under 2,820,319 Paten'tetl ilan. 2 1, 1958 "ice skillfully performed, results in movement of the ball-along said channelmeans until it projects under its owmmomentum from said exit region into the air, where it moves freely (and, of-course, notnecessar'ily in said single plane) until captured in said ball reception'region, through the skill .of the user, to return to thechannel means. In this form, the ball-race means usually includes-a mouthporlion, tapering like a horn, which defines'the ball reception region and guides the ball into said'channel means.

In another generic form of the present invention,'said action region is defined more restrictedlypsaid ball race means includes action-channel means constraining said ballto move through said act-ion region. In this form, the present invention includes ball-actuated means held by said action-channel means and having portions 1 lying partially in said ballpath tobe 'movableby the impact of said ball. In-a preferred form, said ball-actuated means includes a plurality of vanemembers mounted in relatively rotatable relationship to said action-channel means and lying partially in said action "region. 'These vane membersare thus rotated bythe impactof the ball as it passes along its path. Audible ball-actuated means may-also be provided in some'forms.

In any ofthe above-forms'of the present invention, the users object in operating the "toy is to make the ball traverse its path, with resulting'action, 'as 'many'times (cycles), in succession as he can.

Fromthe above description of'the basic form and various preferred forms of the present inventio'njit 'will'be apparent to-those skilled in the art that the "hereinabovementioned disadvantages of prior ball and race toys are virtually entirely eliminated and overcome in andthrough the use of the present invention. For example, itisapparent that the'present invention, while operable by any normal'child or adult, will-require'for"successful operationtheexistence or development of a sizable amount'of skill and 'eye-hand coordination "in the user. "Further, the user will find the toy entertaining 'and' fascinating by reason of the actions performed bythe'ball' as it passes through theactionregion, as well as by reason of the visibility of the ball in its path. It is'also clear that the toy may'be constructed verysimply, strongly, and inexpensively. It should be noted that the'handle permits the device to be effectively "manipulated without the probability of intrusion of the users"hand into the path of the ball.

With the above points in mind, it' is an object of (the present invention to provide a toy which'require's, and by its use develops, suchskill and eye-hand coordination in its user that he can by manipulation of the toy cause a ball to.describe a cyclic path and perform certain interesting actions while inportions of said path.

211; is also an object of the present inventionto provide a-toy, with the characteristics setforth in-the preceding object, in which aballmay be visibly set in motion while in a race, caused to perform an interesting action, and returned'to said race by a skillful person, but in which the accidental actions of 1 an .unskillfulzperson' will cause theball to readily leaveithei-race-orfail to-return toit.

It is axfurther' object of the: present invention toprovide aatoy, as characterized in the above first'two objects, in which an action of the ball in its path is to move freely through the air until recaptured by the user.

'A'further object'of the present invention is totprovide a toy, as'characterized in't'ne above first two objects, in which an action of the ball in'its pathis to hit against a ball=actuated member to-cause the entertaining moveinent of said member.

' OYtherand allied objects of the ,present.invention-will occur to those skilled in the art after a careful study of 3 the present specification, the accompanying illustrations, and the appended claims.

To facilitate understanding, reference will be made to the hereinbelow-described drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, held by a users hand (dashed lines);

Fig. 2 shows a section through a broken-01f portion of the ball-guiding channel means of the device of Fig. 1, taken. at the position and in the direction shown by the line and arrows IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a section, similar to that of Fig. 2, through a modified form of the ball-guiding channel means usable in the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred form of the present invention, parts similar to those of the device of Fig. 1 being numbered similarly, but with primed numerals; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, parts similar to those of the device of Fig. 1 being numbered similarly but with doubly primed numerals.

In the device of Figs. 1 and 2, the longitudinally arcuate ball-guiding channel means takes the form of the shallow channel member generally U-shaped in section, indicated at 1. The handle means takes the form of the strip 2, attached to the back of channel 1 so that the users hand A will not impede the motion of ball B in the inside of the channel. The channel shown at 1 in Figs. 1 and 2 is of a squared-off shape in section; it may be replaced by a channel of the (equivalent) curved shape shown in Fig. 3 at 1a, or by other channels restraining the balls movement within approximately the same lateral are as does channel 1. Similarly, the longitudinal curvature of channel 1, although it should total about 360 degrees of arc, need not be of the configuration shown, provided that it is gradual.

The action region, in the device of Fig. 1, is defined as the portion of the ball path between the ball exit region and the ball reception region-which in this device are equivalent, each being at a free end 3 of the channel 1; constraining the motion of the ball while in the action region is the action-channel 4, which is connected to the channel 1 by holders 5. The ball B, in use, is moved rapidly through the channel 1 until it reaches one of the free ends 3 and, leaving channel 1 virtually at a tangent, drops into action-channel 4, through which it rolls until at the other free end it drops back into channel 1. Channel 4, like channel 1, can have a variety of cross-sectional shapes (both laterally and longitudinally) other than the configuration shown.

The ball-actuated means may include bell 20, attached to the bottom of channel 4 to lie in the path of the ball as it passes through channel 1; and vaned member 6, rotatably mounted by a pin 7 to supports 8, which are attached to action-channel 4. As the ball passes through channel 4, it hits one of the vanes of member 6; and as the ball passes repeatedly when the device is successfully operated, member 6 is maintained in rotary motion in either sense, clockwise or counter-clockwise, chosen by the user at the start. Also, as the ball returns through channel 1 on each cycle, the bell 5 is audibly struck.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the ball-guiding channel means and handle means take forms similar to those of Fig. 1; although action-channel 4' is shown with a flat bottom Sta and a rim 912 having gaps to permit the rotation of the ball-actuated means-which are rotatable members 10, 11, and 12, mounted by pins 13, 14, and 15, respectively, to projections from bottom 8it should be noted that by mounting members 10, 11, and 12 on the rim of the channel, no longer adjacent to the bottom thereof, it is again possible to use a curved channel like that of Fig. 3. In the form of Fig. 4, each of the rotatable members is hit in succession by ball B; various symbols, such as the numbers shown, as at 16',

4 may be marked on the vanes to increase user interest and allow various games to be played with the device (as, it might be an object of such a game to have certain number triplets be visible at once).

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the action region is the aerial action region about the device; the ball exit region is at the free end 3" of channel 1"; the ball reception region is defined by the mouth member 17, which is connected to channel 1" at the back directly (above handle 2") and at the sides by the triangular members 18-when the ball enters the reception region within member 17, it may bounce from wall to wall once or twice, and the members 18 serve to prevent the balls leaving the channel from this cause (which is beyond the control of the user). Strengthening members 19 may be connected from members 18 to free end 3 to give strength to channel 1" and preserve its shape.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art after a careful study hereof. All such, properly within the basic scope and/or teachings of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated and claimed herein.

For example, other types of handle, other than the strip with two-point connection to the channel, may be used. The ball-actuated means may take other forms generally rotatable under the impact of a ball, or may include audible-contact means other than the bell shown, or the bell may be omitted. Further, as is made evident by the position of the bell, the ball-actuated means may be placed at almost any region in the ball path, which region will then constitute said action region by definition; that is, the channel 4 or 4' need not define the actionregion, even though in the illustrated forms of Figs. 1 and 2 it does so and thus constitutes the action-channel.

It should also be noted that although the ball exit and reception regions are defined by differing structures in the device of Fig. 5, in the devices of Figs. 1 and 4 said regions are defined by similar structures; which of the free ends 3 (or 3') is called, e. g., the ball exit region depends on the direction chosen by the user for the ball to travel.

The exact compositions, configurations, relative positionings and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and may be modified substantially within the basic teachings. spirit and scope of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention specifically described, illustrated and claimed herein is examplary only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is intended to be interpreted in the light of the prior art and the appended claims only, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. A toy, cooperable with a ball to allow a user to impart entertaining and cyclic motion thereto over a cyclic ball path, comprising: ball race means partially constraining the motion of said ball over portions of said cyclic ball path; said ball race means including longitudinal arcuate ball-guiding channel means, said channel means being inwardly open and cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the inside of the arcuate curvature thereof; a handle member, attached to said channel means, suited to be manually grasped to allow ball-actuating motion to be given to the toy; said cyclic ball path being completed through an action region, through which said ball is movable; said ball race means also including outwardly open action-channel means cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the outside of said action-channel means through said action region, said ball race means having a ball exit region and a ball reception region connecting the inwardly open ball-guiding channel means and the outwardly open action-channel means at each end of h e-its an tiieaiis sate aetibh fegio'hlbeiifgfpesb said ltiall" tregifon and said 'ballreceptioh' re'glon "lo g t'liefout'side offthe outwardly open action-ch'a'n el means; signal-operating means mounted adjac ent 'said ball race "means at least partially in "said ball patht'o be movable by impact Withfsardbrill; and signal means actuated by "said-signal-operating mea'ns. I

2. A toy, cooperable withaball toallowauser toimpart entertaining and cyclic motion ther'eto' over a cyclic ball path, earnt-arisin ba'll 'race means partially constraining tlie inotio n of said ball over portions of said cyclic ball path lying virtually in a single plane; said ball race means including longitudinal arcuate ball-guiding channel means, said "channel means being inwardly open and cooperable tore'ee'ive, 'g'uide, and constrain said ball to move along the inside ofthe arcuate curvature thereof; animate member, attached to said channel means,-suited tobe manually grasped to allow ball-actuating-motion to be given tothe toy; said cyclic ball pat h being completed through an action region, through which said ballis movable; said ballra-ce means also includingfoutwardly open acnen-eaarinei'mnseodperab1etoreceive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the outside of said action-channel means through said action region, said ball race means having a ball exit region and a ball reception region connecting the inwardly open ball-guiding channel means and the outwardly open action-channel means at each end of said action-channel means, said action region being positioned between said ball exit region and said ball reception region along the outside of the outwardly open action-channel means; signal-operating means mounted adjacent said action-channel means and having portions lying partially in said ball path to be movable by the impact of said ball; and signal means actuated by said signal-operating means; said ball-guiding channel means being of generally U-shaped lateral crosssection with the open portion of the U inwardly directed, said channel means restraining said ball from lateral channel-leaving motion in response to a force normal to said single plane and small relative to planar forces applied to said ball in said plane.

3. A toy, cooperable with a ball to allow a user to impart entertaining and cyclic motion thereto over a cyclic ball path, comprising: ball race means partially constraining the motion of said ball over portions of said cyclic ball path lying virtually in a single plane; said ball race means including longitudinal arcuate ball-guiding channel means, said channel means being inwardly open and cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the inside of the arcuate curvature thereof; a handle member, attached to said channel means, suited to be manually grasped to allow ball-actuating motion to be given to the toy; said cyclic ball path being completed through an action region, through which said ball is movable; said ball race means also including outwardly open action-channel means cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the outside of said action-channel means through said action region, said ball race means having a ball exit region and a ball reception region connecting the inwardly open ball-guiding channel means and the outwardly open action-channel means at each end of said action-channel means, said action region being positioned between said ball exit region and said ball reception region along the outside of the outwardly open action-channel means; display-operating means mounted adjacent said ball race means at least partially in said ball path to be movable by the impact of said ball; and display means moved by said display-operating means; said ball-guiding channel means being of generally U-shaped lateral cross-section with the open portion of the U inwardly directed, said channel means restraining said ball from lateral channel-leaving motion in response to a force normal to said single plane and small relative to planar forces applied to said ball in said plane.

*4. A an cooperable with "a ball to allow "'auser to impart entertaining and cyclic motion thereto over 'a cyclic ball "path, comprising: ball race means partially constraining the motion "of 'saidball over portions of said cyclic ball Lpath lying virtually in a single plane; said ball race means including longitudinalarcuate ballgui'ding channel means, said channel means being inwardly open and cooperable toreceive, guide, and constrain said ball'to 'm'ove along'the'in'side of the arcu-ate curvature thereof; a "handle member, attached to said channelinean's, suited tobemanu'ally grasped to allow ball-a'ctuatingmo'tion to be given to the toy; said cyclic ball path being completed through an action region, through which said ball is'movable; said ball ra'ce'means also including outwardly open action-channelmeans'coopterrible to receive, guide, and constrain saidball to move along the outside of said action channefmeans through Saidactionregion, said ball race'means'having a ball exit region and a ball reception region connecting themwardly open ball-guiding channel means and the outwardly dpen action-channel means at each end of said action chafinel means, said action region being positioned between said ball exit region and said ball reception region along the outside of the outwardly open actionchannel means; display-operating means mounted adjacent said action-channel means and having portions lying in said ball path to be movable by impact of said ball; and display means rotatably moved by said displayoperating means; said display means including a plurality of vane members mounted in relatively rotatable relationship to said action-channel means and lying partially in said action region; said ball-guiding channel means being of generally U-shaped lateral cross-section with the open portion of the U inwardly directed, said channel means restraining said ball from lateral channel-leaving motion in response to a force normal to said single plane and small relative to planar forces applied to said ball in said plane.

5. A toy, cooperable with a ball to allow a user to impart entertaining and cyclic motion thereto over a cyclic ball path, comprising: ball race means partially constraining the motion of said ball over portions of said cyclic ball path lying virtually in a single plane; said ball race means including longitudinal arcuate ball-guiding channel means, said channel means being inwardly open and cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the inside of the arcuate curvature thereof; a handle member, attached to said channel means, suited to be manually grasped to allow ball-actuating motion to be given to the toy; said cyclic ball path being completed through an action region, through which said ball is movable; said ball race means also including outwardly open action-channel means cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the outside of said action-channel means through said action region, said ball race means having a ball exit region and a ball reception region connecting the inwardly open ball-guiding channel means and the outwardly open action-channel means at each end of said action-channel means, said action region being positioned between said ball exit region and said ball reception region along the outside of the outwardly open action-channel means; signal operating means mounted adjacent said ball race means at least partially in said ball path to be movable by impact with said ball; and signal means actuated by said signal-operating means; said signal means including sound-producing signal means cooperable to produce and emit sound in response to actuation thereof by said signal-operating means.

6. A toy, cooperable with a ball to allow a user to impart entertaining and cyclic motion thereto over a cyclic ball path, comprising: ball race means partially constraining the motion of said ball over portions of said cyclic ball path lying virtually in a single plane; said ball race means including longitudinal arcuate ball-guiding channelmeans, said channel means being inwardly open and cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the inside of the arcuate curvature thereof; a handle member, attached to said channel means, suited to be manually grasped to allow ball-actuating motion to be given to the toy; said cyclic ball path being completed through an action region, through which said ball is movable; said ball race means also including outwardly open action-channel means cooperable to receive, guide, and constrain said ball to move along the outside of said action-channel means through said action region, said ball race means having a ball exit region and a ball reception region connecting the inwardly open ballguiding channel means and the outwardly open actionchannel means at each end of said action-channel means,

said action region being positioned between said ball exit region and said ball reception region along the outside of the outwardly open action-channel means; signaloperating means mounted adjacent said ball race means at least partially in said ball path to be movable by impact with said ball; and signal means actuated by said signal-operating means; said signal means including a plurality of vane members mounted in relatively rotatable relationship to said ball race means and lying at least partially in said ball path; said ball-guiding channel means being of generally U-shaped lateral cross-section with the open portion of the U inwardly directed, said channel means restraining said ball from lateral channel-leaving motion in response to a force normal to said single plane and small relative to planar forces applied to said ball in said plane; said signal means including soundproducing signal means cooperable to produce and emit sound in response to actuation thereof by said signaloperating means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 475,067 Risdon May 17, 1892 1,022,186 Engler Apr. 2, 1912 1,582,811 Adler Apr. 27, 1926 2,466,116 Marong Apr. 5, 1949 2,505,090 Berry Apr. 25, 1950 2,510,403 Krupp June 6. 1950 

